Method and apparatus for managing bandwidth in providing communication services

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining data that is captured by a device, obtaining metadata corresponding to the data where the metadata describes a context of the capturing of the data, analyzing the metadata to identify a segment context of a segment of the data without performing an image recognition for the segment of the data, and, responsive to a determination that the context does not satisfy a context criterion, generating a low bandwidth version of the segment and transmitting the low bandwidth version of the segment of the data, wherein the low bandwidth version is transmitted at a second bandwidth that is lower than the first bandwidth. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for managingbandwidth in providing communication services.

BACKGROUND

The demand for more communication services, including video and dataservices over wireless and wired networks, is increasing. Networktraffic is continuously increasing as this demand grows. Steps toalleviate congestion and inefficiency due to the growth of networktraffic are being taken including improving infrastructure to enablemore efficient transmitting of traffic.

The delivery of UltraHD and other high-format content can put a furtherstrain on a network. Resource and load management can be utilized tomitigate some of that strain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict illustrative embodiments of systems for deliveringdifferent versions of segments of captured content or data to end userdevice(s);

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the systems described in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system thatprovides media services including delivering different versions ofcaptured content or data to end user device(s);

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device thatcan be used in a system for delivering different versions of capturedcontent or data to end user device(s); and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for determining a context for segments of content or datathat has been captured. A bandwidth can then be determined fordistributing the segments of the content or data according to thecontext. Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure can include generatingmetadata describing, or otherwise indicative of, the context in whichthe content or data was captured. In one or more embodiments, themetadata can be descriptive, or otherwise indicative, of where, whenand/or how an image(s), audio and/or other data was captured. In one ormore embodiments, the metadata can be analyzed to determine parametersor constraints to utilize for providing or delivering the images(s),audio and/or data to one or more other devices, such as over a network.The providing of the images(s), audio and/or data can be by way ofvarious techniques including multicast, unicast, broadcast,multicast-broadcast single-frequency network delivery, and so forth. Asan example, the context of a segment of video content can be analyzed todetermine whether to send a reduced frame rate and/or compressed versionor to send a full frame-rate and/or full-resolution version to an enduser device(s). In one embodiment, the metadata can be generated by,and/or added at, a source device capturing the content or data, such asa video camera or a data capture device. In another embodiment, themetadata can be generated by, and/or added at, another device that isalong the communication path from the source device to the recipientdevice(s). In one embodiment, the metadata can be added automaticallywithout user intervention or user input.

In one embodiment, the determination as to the desired bandwidth fordelivery of the content or data can be based on the metadata withoutperforming any image analysis, such as without performing an MPEG-styleanalysis of the pixels in the image or other image recognition for theimages. In another embodiment, the determination as to the desiredbandwidth for delivery of the content or data can be based on themetadata without performing any analysis of the content or data. In oneembodiment, the selection of the bandwidth, such as a higher version orlower version of the content with different frame rates and/orresolutions can be determined in part according to one or moreoperational parameters of the recipient device(s), such as whether thecontent is being transmitted to a large-screen display device or beingtransmitted to a handheld device.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a device having aprocessor and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, facilitate performance of operations,including receiving, from a video camera, video content captured by thevideo camera. The processor can receive metadata corresponding to thevideo content where the metadata describes a context of the videocontent and can analyze the metadata to identify a segment context of asegment of the video content without performing an image recognition forimages of the segment. The processor can compare the segment context toa context criterion. Responsive to a first determination that thesegment context satisfies the context criterion, the segment of thevideo content can be transmitted at a first bandwidth for presentationat an end user device. Responsive to a second determination that thesegment context does not satisfy the context criterion, a low bandwidthversion of the segment can be generated and transmitted for presentationat the end user device, where the low bandwidth version is transmittedat a second bandwidth that is lower than the first bandwidth.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure is a method that includesobtaining, by a system including a processor, video content; andobtaining, by the system, metadata corresponding to the video content,the metadata describing a context of the video content. The methodincludes analyzing, by the system, the metadata to identify a segmentcontext of a segment of the video content without performing an imagerecognition for images of the segment. Responsive to a firstdetermination that the segment context satisfies a context criterion,the system can transmit the segment of the video content at a firstbandwidth for presentation at an end user device. Responsive to a seconddetermination that the context does not satisfy the context criterion,the system can generate a low bandwidth version of the segment and cantransmit the low bandwidth version of the segment of the video contentfor presentation at the end user device, where the low bandwidth versionis transmitted at a second bandwidth that is lower than the firstbandwidth.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a machine-readablestorage device, including executable instructions that, when executed bya processor, facilitate performance of operations. The operations caninclude obtaining data that is captured by a device and obtainingmetadata corresponding to the data, where the metadata describes acontext of the capturing of the data. The operations can includeanalyzing the metadata to identify a segment context of a segment of thedata without performing an image recognition for the segment of thedata. Responsive to a first determination that the segment contextsatisfies a context criterion, the processor can transmit the segment ofthe data at a first bandwidth. Responsive to a second determination thatthe context does not satisfy the context criterion, the processor cangenerate a low bandwidth version of the segment and can transmit the lowbandwidth version of the segment of the data, wherein the low bandwidthversion is transmitted at a second bandwidth that is lower than thefirst bandwidth.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 100 that enablesor facilitates utilizing dynamic bandwidth adjustment for the deliveryof content or data to be provided to recipient device(s) 106. Theexemplary embodiment of system 100 is described with respect to content(e.g., video content) being captured at an event 110 (e.g., a basketballgame). However, the captured information can be any type of contentincluding audio content and/or still images, and/or can be data capturedby a data capture device (e.g., motion data, temperature data, lightdata, and so forth). The event 110 can be any type of an event,including live events such as sports, concerts, parades, and can beother types of events such as security monitoring of a facility.

In this example, the content can be captured by a source device, whichis illustrated as video camera 125, however, the source device can beany type of device capable of capturing the particular content from theevent 110. In this example, the video camera 125 can provide thecaptured video content to a server 130, which can be a network serverlocated in a network facility remote from the event 110 and/or can beanother server such as located in a production vehicle in proximity tothe event. System 100 can include various network devices, includingrouters, switches, servers, and so forth (not shown), which enabletransmitting of the content over a network 132 to one or more recipientdevices 106. The network 132 can utilize various techniques and/orcombinations of techniques (including one or more communicationprotocols) for transmitting the content or data. The network 132 canutilize wireless communications and/or wired communications. The server130 can be part of the network 132 or can be a computing device incommunication with the network 132, such as operated by a differentservice provider or third party vendor.

In one or more embodiments, metadata can be generated describing, orotherwise indicative of, the context of the capturing of the content. Inone embodiment, the metadata can be generated by the video camera 125,such as according to contextual information detected by one or morecontext sensors 127 of the video camera 125. In this example, thecontextual information can be various types of information, such asmotion data, lighting data, time data, an orientation or position of thevideo camera 125, or other data that describes or is otherwiseindicative of a context of the capturing of the content by the videocamera 125. For instance, the context sensor 127 can be a motion sensordirected to the basketball court of event 110 so that a contextdetermination can be made as to when the captured video is during thebasketball game being played (e.g., a detection of motion on the court)or when the captured video is during a time out (e.g., a detection of nomotion on the court). In this example, the motion detection can bedirected to a particular area of the basketball court where it is likelythat detected motion is indicative of on-going play. As another example,time data can be used to determine the context of the captured content,such as the basketball game being scheduled to commence at a particulartime and estimated to be at half-time or finished by a particular time.In another embodiment, the time data can be information from the actualgame time clock as will be described herein. In another embodiment, themotion detector can detect motion at the scoreboard so that changing ofthe time or changing of the score can be detected which indicateson-going play. In this example, the motion detection can be utilizedwithout determining the actual time or actual score since it is thechanging of the time or score that is indicative of the on-going game ofevent 110.

In another embodiment, the metadata can be generated by the video camera125 according to contextual information provided to the video camera byanother device(s). In one embodiment, contextual information can beprovided by a device(s) 150 that is part of, or operates in conjunctionwith, the event 110, such as a scoreboard, a game clock, an eventlighting controller, an event sound system, and so forth. The device(s)150 can provide event-related information from which the metadata can begenerated. As an example, a game clock 150 in a scoreboard cancommunicate time information to the video camera 125 so that the videocamera can determine when the game clock is counting down and thusdetect that game play is active. Metadata can be generated from thistime information indicating that the concurrently captured content isduring active game play (which can trigger a higher bandwidth deliveryof the content as will be described herein).

The contextual information from which the metadata is generated can beother types of information, such as lighting data where lower levellighting or the use of a spotlight indicates that an event (e.g. aconcert) is active while a higher level of lighting or the spotlightbeing off indicates that the event is in an intermission or otherwisenot active. In one embodiment, audio content can be utilized as thecontextual information to determine when the event is active such asloud noise during a sporting event indicating active game play. In oneor more embodiments, the metadata can include the collected or receivedcontextual information and/or can include a status indicator determinedfrom the contextual information, such as active or inactive describingthe concurrently captured video content. In one or more embodiments, thecontextual information can be a measurement associated with informationthat is indicative of the present context of the event 110. For example,a measurement of sound levels at a concert or at a racetrack canindicate when the concert or race is active as opposed to at anintermission. In another example, detection of a whistle at a basketballgame can indicate a stoppage of play which can trigger adjusting downthe bandwidth until it is determined that active play has resumed (e.g.,according to a default timer such as twenty seconds after the whistle,another detected whistle indicating play has resumed, motion sensor dataindicating play has resumed, and so forth).

In one embodiment, the contextual information can be provided by adevice(s) 175 that is not part of, or does not operate in conjunctionwith, the event 110, such as a separate contextual sensor (e.g. a motiondetector, a lighting detector, an audio level detector, and so forth).The device(s) 175 can provide event-related information from which themetadata can be generated. As an example, a motion detector 175 candetermine when there is motion on the basketball court (or a particulararea of the basketball court). Metadata can be generated from thismotion data indicating that the concurrently captured content is duringactive game play (which can trigger a higher bandwidth delivery of thecontent as will be described herein). In one or more embodiments, themetadata can include the collected or received contextual informationand/or can include a status indicator determined from the contextualinformation, such as active or inactive describing the concurrentlycaptured video content.

In one embodiment, the video camera 125 can add the metadata to thecaptured content which is then provided to the server 130. In anotherembodiment, the metadata or the contextual information from which themetadata is determined can be provided by the device(s) 150 and/or 175directly to the server 130 without providing the metadata or contextualinformation to the video camera 125.

In one or more embodiments, the metadata, corresponding to segments ofthe captured video content, can be analyzed to determine the bandwidthfor delivery of that particular segment. The metadata analysis can beperformed by the server 130 and/or by another device that has thecapability of causing a switch between different delivery bandwidths forthe video content. As an example, higher resolution and/or higher framerate video content may be desirable for a user of a recipient device 106when the basketball game of event 110 is active, but a lower resolutionand/or lower frame rate may be acceptable for the user during a time outor during half-time when commentators are talking. The server 130 canreceive and analyze the metadata and cause delivery of the video contentat either a higher resolution and/or higher frame rate or at a lowerresolution and/or lower frame rate according to the context (e.g.,active play or time out).

In one or more embodiments, any number of different versions (e.g.,having different frame rates and/or resolution) of the video content canbe utilized during the transmitting of the segments of the videocontent. As an example, the metadata can be used to determine threetypes of segment contexts: active (e.g., segment delivered utilizinghighest bandwidth with the highest frame rate and/or highestresolution), semi-active (e.g., segment delivered utilizing a mediumbandwidth with a medium frame rate and/or medium resolution), andnon-active (e.g., segment delivered utilizing a lowest bandwidth with alowest frame rate and/or lowest resolution). In this example, the activesegment context can be utilized for live play, the semi-active segmentcontext can be used for time-outs where the players are being capturedin the video content, and the non-active segment context can be utilizedfor commentators during an intermission.

The generating of different versions can also be based on other factors,such as device capability of recipient devices, network trafficconditions, subscription plans, quality of service agreements, type ofcontent, and so forth. Continuing with the example above, a switch fromdelivery of the highest bandwidth content to the medium bandwidthcontent can be made according to a detection of network trafficexceeding a traffic threshold or a determination of some other networkcondition. In this example, once a detection is made (based on themetadata) that that event has transitioned from active to non-activestatus, then a further switch from delivery of the medium bandwidthcontent to the lowest bandwidth content can be made. Upon a furtherdetection that the event 110 has become active (or based on some othertriggering event such as a change in network conditions or a defaulttime limit) then a switch back to delivery of content at the mediumbandwidth or the highest bandwidth can be made.

The switching between different versions of the content at differentbandwidths can be performed automatically and dynamically throughout theduration of the event 110 or a portion thereof. In one embodiment, aminimum delay or time period between switching of bandwidth versions canbe implemented. In another embodiment, the particular length of thesegment to which the metadata content information applies can vary andcan be based on a number of factors including type of content,communication protocol(s) being utilized for delivery, resourcesavailable, length of time since last switch of content version, and soforth.

The generating of the different versions of the content, such as atdifferent frame rates and/or different resolutions can be performed atvarious devices. For example, the server 130 can receive the highestframe rate and/or highest resolution from the video camera 125 (e.g. asingle version of the segment of the content) and can then generate oneor more other bandwidth versions (e.g., at lower frame rates and/orlower resolutions) for that segment. In one example, the server 130 cangenerate the additional different versions for all segments and then adetermination can be made as to which version is to be delivered (ordifferent versions to be delivered to different recipient devices 106).In another example, the server 130 can generate a different version onlyif the determined context (based on an analysis of the metadata)indicates that a different version is needed for the segment fordelivery to the recipient device(s). In this example, if the contextdoes not indicate that a different version is needed then the server 130may not generate an alternative version of the segment of the content.

In another embodiment, the server 130 can communicate with the videocamera 125 to cause the video camera to change the frame rate and/orresolution at which the video content is captured. As an example, theserver 130 can receive metadata (e.g., from the video camera 125, thescoreboard 150, and/or the sensor 175) and can determine a context fromthat metadata. According to the context determination, the server 130can then transmit a video capture instruction to the video camera 125causing a change in frame rate and/or resolution being utilized by thevideo camera. The server 130 can repeat the receiving and analyzing ofthe metadata and the transmitting of the capture instructions to thevideo camera 125 throughout the duration of the event 110 or a portionthereof.

In one embodiment, multiple devices can generate the different versionsof the content according to a determination of the context from themetadata. For example, the server 130 can generate a highest bandwidthversion and a lowest bandwidth version and can deliver both versions toanother network server which can then determine which version to bedelivered to the recipient device(s) and/or can generate a mediumbandwidth version for delivery 9 at the other network server). Adistributed environment for generating and transmitting differentbandwidth versions of the content can be utilized under a number ofdifferent scenarios including where different network servers havedifferent capabilities and/or provide communication services todifferent groups of recipient devices that have different capabilitiesand/or different quality of service requirements.

In one embodiment a device or combination of devices of system 100, suchas server 130, video camera 125 and/or some other device can performoperations including: accessing metadata corresponding to video contentcaptured by a video camera where the metadata describes a context of thevideo content; analyzing the metadata to identify a segment context of asegment of the video content without performing an analysis of images ofthe segment; comparing the segment context to a context criterion;responsive to a first determination that the segment context satisfiesthe context criterion, transmitting the segment of the video content ata first bandwidth for presentation at an end user device; and responsiveto a second determination that the segment context does not satisfy thecontext criterion, generating a low bandwidth version of the segment andtransmitting the low bandwidth version of the segment of the videocontent for presentation at the end user device, wherein the lowbandwidth version is transmitted at a second bandwidth that is lowerthan the first bandwidth.

In one embodiment, the metadata can be generated without analyzing thecontent. In one embodiment, the metadata can be generatedcontemporaneously with the capturing of the video content. In oneembodiment, the metadata can be received from a communication deviceother than the video camera. In one embodiment, the communication devicecan be a sensor that senses sensory data associated with the event. Inone embodiment, the sensory data includes motion data, time data, or acombination thereof. In one embodiment, the metadata is received from asensor integrated with the video camera. In one embodiment, adetermination of the second bandwidth can be made according to networktraffic. In one embodiment, a determination of the second bandwidth canbe made according to operational parameters associated with the end userdevice. In one embodiment, the transmitting at the second bandwidth canutilize a lower resolution, a lower frame rate or a combination thereofcompared to the transmitting at the first bandwidth.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 200 that enablesor facilitates content or data to be provided to recipient device(s) 106utilizing dynamic bandwidth adjustment for the delivery. The exemplaryembodiment is described with respect to data being captured at anenvironment 210 (e.g., a security footage at a monitored facility).However, the captured information can be any type of data, such asmotion data, temperature data, light data, and so forth, and can alsoinclude content such as video content, audio content and/or stillimages. The environment 210 is not limited to a facility and can be anylocation from which data can be collected, where the data can bedelivered utilizing different bandwidth versions of the data accordingto a context of capturing the data.

In this example, the data can be captured by one or more devices 225such as a video camera, a data sensor and so forth. The metadataindicative of the context of capturing segments of the data can begenerated by the one or more devices 225. In one embodiment differentdevices 225 can be used for capturing the data and generating themetadata. In another embodiment, the same device(s) 225 can be used forboth capturing the data and generating the metadata.

As an example, the environment 210 can be a facility that is beingmonitored. A first device 225 can be a video camera capturing videocontent for the environment. A second device 225 can be a motiondetector obtaining motion data and generating metadata from the motiondata. In this example, the motion data can be utilized to determine whenthere is potentially activity in the environment, such as motion of aperson being detected at the environment. Based on an analysis of themetadata indicating potentially activity in the environment, a higherbandwidth version of the video content can be sent to a recipient device106. For instance, a higher frame rate and higher resolution videocontent may be desired if there is potential activity at theenvironment, so that the environment can be more closely evaluated,whereas a lower frame rate and lower resolution video content may bedesired when no potential activity is detected for the environment.

In this example, the device(s) 125 can provide the data and/or metadatato the server 130, which can be a network server located in a networkfacility remote from the event 110 and/or can be another server such aslocated in a monitor station or a third party security facility. Inanother embodiment, one or more first devices 225 can provide themetadata to one or more second devices 225 that captured the data. Acombination of the data and the metadata can then be provided to theserver 130.

In one or more embodiments, the different versions of the data can begenerated by the server 130 based on the captured data (e.g. a highbandwidth version of the captured data) received from the device(s) 225and according to an analysis of the metadata to interpret the context ofcapturing the data (e.g., who, what, and/or when). In anotherembodiment, the different versions of the captured data can be generatedby the device(s) 225 capturing the data according to instructions fromthe server 130, such as a first instruction to switch to a higherbandwidth version of video content (e.g. full frame rate and higherresolution) because the metadata is indicative of activity occurring atthe environment 210 and a second instruction to switch to a lowerbandwidth version of the video content (e.g. partial frame rate andlower resolution) because the metadata is indicative of no activityoccurring at the environment 210.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 300 used by one ormore devices systems 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. Method300 is described with respect to capturing content, however, thecaptured information can include any type of data being captured, suchas at the event 110 or the environment 210.

At 302, content can be captured by one or more devices, such as videocamera 125 or data capturing device 22. At 304, metadata correspondingto segments of the content can be generated, where the metadatadescribes or is otherwise indicative of a context of the capturing ofthe content. The metadata can be generated by the same device(s) thatcaptured the content and/or can be generated by a device(s) differentfrom the capturing device.

At 306, the metadata can be generated to identify a segment context of asegment of the content. In one embodiment, the identification of thesegment context is performed without performing any analysis of imagesof the segment. In one embodiment, the metadata is generated withoutperforming any analysis of the captured content. In one embodiment, timedata, such as time stamps, can be utilized with the metadata and thecaptured content to facilitate identification of the segment content anddetermining the metadata that corresponds to a particular contentsegment.

At 308, a determination can be made as to whether the segment contextfor the particular segment satisfies a context criterion. The contextcriterion can be indicative of whether the content segment includes alevel activity that is desirable to be delivered to the recipientdevice(s) 106 at a higher bandwidth, such as the context criterion beingmovement on the basketball court or sound at the concert above aparticular decibel level, which are indicative that the game or theconcert are on-going and not at an intermission. Responsive to a firstdetermination that the segment context satisfies the context criterion,at 310, the segment of the video content can be delivered or transmittedat a first bandwidth (e.g., a first frame rate and/or first resolution)for presentation at one or more end user devices. Responsive to a seconddetermination that the context does not satisfy the context criterion,at 312, a low bandwidth version of the segment (e.g., a second framerate and/or second resolution) can be delivered or transmitted forpresentation at the one or more end user devices. In this example, thelow bandwidth version is transmitted at a second bandwidth that is lowerthan the first bandwidth. As described above, the particular device(s)utilized for capturing the content, generating the metadata, analyzingthe metadata to identify a context for a particular segment, and/ordetermining whether a switch between different bandwidth versions of thecontent, can vary.

In one embodiment, obtaining or generating metadata can includereceiving sensory data from a communication device where the sensorydata includes motion data, sound data, and/or time data. In oneembodiment, the determining of the second bandwidth to be utilized canbe based on network traffic or other network conditions. In oneembodiment, the determining of the second bandwidth can be according tooperational parameters associated with the end user device(s) receivingthe content.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 400for delivering media content. The communication system 400 can representan Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system or other interactivetelevision system. Communication system 400 can be overlaid or operablycoupled with systems 100 and/or 200 of FIGS. 1 and/or 2 as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400. For instance, oneor more devices illustrated in the communication system 400 of FIG. 4can determine a context for content or data that has been captured at anevent 450 and can determine a bandwidth for distributing the content ordata according to the context. The event 450 can have various devicespositioned thereat for capturing the content or data and generating themetadata indicative of the context of capturing the segments of thecontent or data, such as described with respect to systems 100 and 200of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 410 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 411 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 411 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 414 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 412 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 414 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 418 to commercial and/or residential buildings 402 housing agateway 404 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 418 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 419 to buildings 402. The gateway 404 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 406 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 408 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 407 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 404, the media processors 406, and media devices 408 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 406 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 429 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 4. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 415 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 431 coupled to thebuilding 402. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver431 can be transferred to the media processors 406 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 408. The media processors 406 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 432 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 433 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system400. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 433 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 400 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 430, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 432 towireline media devices 408 or wireless communication devices 416.

Communication system 400 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 430 to function as a bandwidth selection server 430(herein referred to as server 430). The server 430 can use computing andcommunication technology to perform function 462, which can includeamong other things: receiving, from a capturing device (such as a videocamera), information (e.g., content or data) captured by the capturingdevice; receiving metadata corresponding to the captured informationwhere the metadata describes a context of the captured information;analyzing the metadata to identify a segment context of a segment of thecaptured information without performing an analysis of the capturedinformation; comparing the segment context to a context criterion;responsive to a first determination that the segment context satisfiesthe context criterion, transmitting the segment of the capturedinformation at a first bandwidth for presentation at an end user device;and responsive to a second determination that the segment context doesnot satisfy the context criterion, generating a low bandwidth version ofthe segment and transmitting the low bandwidth version of the segment ofthe captured information for presentation at the end user device, wherethe low bandwidth version is transmitted at a second bandwidth that islower than the first bandwidth. For instance, function 462 of server 430can be similar to the functions described for server 130 of FIGS. 1 and2.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 417 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 500.Communication device 500 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and/or 4and can be configured to perform portions of method 300 of FIG. 3. As anexample, communication device 500 can be a data capturing device thatcaptures content or data for delivery to end user devices at differentbandwidths depending on the context of capturing of the content or data.As another example, communication device 500 can be a data capturingdevice that captures contextual information, via context sensor 599,representative of or indicative of the context in which content or datawas captured, such as obtaining motion data, time data, temperaturedata, lighting data, and so forth. As yet another example, communicationdevice 500 can be a server that analyzes metadata to determine a contextfor segments of the captured information and determines which bandwidthversion is to be utilized in the delivery to the end user devicesaccording to the determined segment context. For instance, communicationdevice 500 can obtain data that is captured by a device and can obtainmetadata corresponding to the data where the metadata describes acontext of the capturing of the data. Communication device 500 cananalyze the metadata to identify a segment context of a segment of thedata without performing an analysis of the segment of the data.Responsive to a first determination that the segment context satisfies acontext criterion, communication device 500 can transmit the segment ofthe data at a first bandwidth. Responsive to a second determination thatthe context does not satisfy the context criterion, communication device500 can generate a low bandwidth version of the segment and can transmitthe low bandwidth version of the segment of the data, where the lowbandwidth version is transmitted at a second bandwidth that is lowerthan the first bandwidth.

Communication device 500 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 502 (herein transceiver 502), a user interface (UI) 504, apower supply 514, a location receiver 516, a motion sensor 518, anorientation sensor 520, and a controller 506 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 502 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 502 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 504 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 508 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device500. The keypad 508 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 500 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 508 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 504 can further include a display510 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 500. In anembodiment where the display 510 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 508 can be presented by way of the display 510 withnavigation features.

The display 510 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 500 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 510 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 510 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 500 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 504 can also include an audio system 512 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 512 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 512 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI504 can further include an image sensor 513 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 514 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 500 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 516 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 500 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 518can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 500 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 520 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device500 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 500 can use the transceiver 502 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 506 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 500.

Other components not shown in FIG. 5 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 500 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 506 of the communication device 500. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 500 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 500 to force thecommunication device 500 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 500 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 500 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 5. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. The communication device 500 can be adapted to perform thefunctions of the devices of systems 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2, themedia processor 406, the media devices 408, and/or the portablecommunication devices 416 of FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 500 can also represent other devices that canoperate in systems 100, 200 and/or 400 such as a gaming console and amedia player. In addition, the controller 506 can be adapted in variousembodiments to perform the functions 462.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, the context of a segment of contentcan be determined (in conjunction with the metadata analysis or in placeof the metadata analysis) based on image pattern recognition todetermine context at a conceptual level. For example, patternrecognition can be used to determine a match for pre-game activity (e.g.cheerleaders on the court) or announcers speaking at halftime. Thisexample of pattern recognition can be a cursory image analysis that isindicative of the segment. In this embodiment, metadata indicating thecontext as determined from the image pattern recognition can begenerated and utilized for determining whether the deliver the contentas a higher bandwidth version or a lower bandwidth version. In oneembodiment, the content capturing device (e.g., the video camera) canutilize Scalable Video Coding (SVC) to generate SVC video. In thisexample, the pre-generated base layer can be transmitted withouttransmitting one or more enhancement layers when a determination is madeto utilize a lower bandwidth transmitting technique. One or moreenhancement layers of the SVC video can then be transmitted in responseto a determination to utilize a higher bandwidth delivery technique.Other embodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 600 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the server 130 or 430 or other devices ofsystems 100, 200 and/or 300, such as to determine whether to deliver ahigh bandwidth version of content or to deliver a low bandwidth versionof content according to an analysis of metadata that is indicative ofthe context in which the content was captured. In some embodiments, themachine may be connected (e.g., using a network 626) to other machines.In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of aserver or a client user machine in a server-client user networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 600 may include a processor (or controller) 602(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 604 and a static memory 606, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 608. The computer system 600 mayfurther include a display unit 610 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 600may include an input device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 614 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 616, a signal generationdevice 618 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 620. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units610 controlled by two or more computer systems 600. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 610, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 610.

The disk drive unit 616 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 622 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 624) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 624 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 604, the static memory 606, and/or within theprocessor 602 during execution thereof by the computer system 600. Themain memory 604 and the processor 602 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. It is furthernoted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectlyby way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computingdevice.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 622 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 600.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory machine-readable storage mediumcomprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processingsystem including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, theoperations comprising: obtaining image data associated with an eventthat is captured by an image capturing device, wherein the eventcomprises a timed sporting event and wherein the image data that isobtained has associated therewith a first bandwidth; obtaining metadatacorresponding to the image data, the metadata describing a context of acapturing of the image data associated with the event; analyzing themetadata to identify a segment context of a segment of the image datawithout performing an image recognition for the segment of the imagedata, wherein the segment context comprises an active context associatedwith images of players during timed play, a semi-active contextassociated with images of the players during a time-out, or a non-activecontext associated with commentators during an intermission; andselecting, responsive to identification of the segment context, a mode,wherein the mode comprises a high bandwidth mode, a medium bandwidthmode, or a low bandwidth mode, wherein the high bandwidth mode isselected in accordance with the segment context being the activecontext, wherein the medium bandwidth mode is selected in accordancewith the segment context being the semi-active context, and wherein thelow bandwidth mode is selected in accordance with the segment contextbeing the non-active context; wherein the high bandwidth mode comprisestransmitting the segment of the image data at the first bandwidth;wherein the medium bandwidth mode comprises generating a mediumbandwidth version of the segment of the image data and transmitting themedium bandwidth version of the segment of the image data, wherein themedium bandwidth version is transmitted at a second bandwidth that islower than the first bandwidth; and wherein the low bandwidth modecomprises generating a low bandwidth version of the segment of the imagedata and transmitting the low bandwidth version of the segment of theimage data, wherein the low bandwidth version is transmitted at a thirdbandwidth that is lower than the second bandwidth.
 2. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the transmitting atthe second bandwidth utilizes a lower resolution, a lower frame rate ora combination thereof compared to the transmitting at the firstbandwidth.
 3. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 1, wherein the transmitting at the third bandwidth utilizes alower resolution, a lower frame rate or a combination thereof comparedto the transmitting at the second bandwidth.
 4. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the image datacomprises video content including images captured by the image capturingdevice, wherein the metadata is received from a sensor in proximity tothe event, and wherein the sensor senses sensory data associated withthe event.
 5. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 1, wherein the image capturing device comprises a video camera. 6.A device, comprising: a processing system including a processor; and amemory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operationscomprising: obtaining image data associated with an event that iscaptured by an image capturing device, wherein the event comprises atimed sporting event and wherein the image data that is obtained hasassociated therewith a first bandwidth; obtaining metadata correspondingto the image data, the metadata describing a context of a capturing ofthe image data associated with the event; analyzing the metadata toidentify a segment context of a segment of the image data withoutperforming an image recognition for the segment of the image data,wherein the segment context comprises an active context associated withimages of players during timed play, a semi-active context associatedwith images of the players during a time-out, or a non-active contextassociated with commentators during an intermission; and selecting,responsive to identification of the segment context, a mode, wherein themode comprises a high bandwidth mode, a medium bandwidth mode, or a lowbandwidth mode, wherein the high bandwidth mode is selected inaccordance with the segment context being the active context, whereinthe medium bandwidth mode is selected in accordance with the segmentcontext being the semi-active context, and wherein the low bandwidthmode is selected in accordance with the segment context being thenon-active context; wherein the high bandwidth mode comprisestransmitting the segment of the image data at the first bandwidth;wherein the medium bandwidth mode comprises generating a mediumbandwidth version of the segment of the image data and transmitting themedium bandwidth version of the segment of the image data, wherein themedium bandwidth version is transmitted at a second bandwidth that islower than the first bandwidth; and wherein the low bandwidth modecomprises generating a low bandwidth version of the segment of the imagedata and transmitting the low bandwidth version of the segment of theimage data, wherein the low bandwidth version is transmitted at a thirdbandwidth that is lower than the second bandwidth.
 7. The device ofclaim 6, wherein the transmitting at the second bandwidth utilizes alower resolution compared to the transmitting at the first bandwidth. 8.The device of claim 6, wherein the transmitting at the second bandwidthutilizes a lower frame rate compared to the transmitting at the firstbandwidth.
 9. The device of claim 6, wherein the transmitting at thethird bandwidth utilizes a lower resolution compared to the transmittingat the second bandwidth.
 10. The device of claim 6, wherein thetransmitting at the third bandwidth utilizes a lower frame rate comparedto the transmitting at the second bandwidth.
 11. The device of claim 6,wherein the image data comprises video content including images capturedby the image capturing device.
 12. The device of claim 6, wherein themetadata is received from a sensor in proximity to the event, andwherein the sensor senses sensory data associated with the event. 13.The device of claim 6, wherein the image capturing device comprises avideo camera.
 14. A method, comprising: obtaining, by a processingsystem including a processor, image data associated with an event thatis captured by an image capturing device, wherein the event comprises atimed sporting event and wherein the image data that is obtained hasassociated therewith a first bandwidth; obtaining, by the processingsystem, metadata corresponding to the image data, the metadatadescribing a context of a capturing of the image data associated withthe event; analyzing, by the processing system, the metadata to identifya segment context of a segment of the image data without performing animage recognition for the segment of the image data, wherein the segmentcontext comprises an active context associated with images of playersduring timed play, a semi-active context associated with images of theplayers during a time-out, or a non-active context associated withcommentators during an intermission; and selecting by the processingsystem, responsive to identification of the segment context, a mode,wherein the mode comprises a high bandwidth mode, a medium bandwidthmode, or a low bandwidth mode, wherein the high bandwidth mode isselected in accordance with the segment context being the activecontext, wherein the medium bandwidth mode is selected in accordancewith the segment context being the semi-active context, and wherein thelow bandwidth mode is selected in accordance with the segment contextbeing the non-active context; wherein the high bandwidth mode comprisestransmitting the segment of the image data at the first bandwidth;wherein the medium bandwidth mode comprises generating a mediumbandwidth version of the segment of the image data and transmitting themedium bandwidth version of the segment of the image data, wherein themedium bandwidth version is transmitted at a second bandwidth that islower than the first bandwidth; and wherein the low bandwidth modecomprises generating a low bandwidth version of the segment of the imagedata and transmitting the low bandwidth version of the segment of theimage data, wherein the low bandwidth version is transmitted at a thirdbandwidth that is lower than the second bandwidth.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the transmitting at the second bandwidth utilizes alower resolution compared to the transmitting at the first bandwidth.16. The method of claim 14, wherein the transmitting at the secondbandwidth utilizes a lower frame rate compared to the transmitting atthe first bandwidth.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein thetransmitting at the third bandwidth utilizes a lower resolution comparedto the transmitting at the second bandwidth.
 18. The method of claim 14,wherein the transmitting at the third bandwidth utilizes a lower framerate compared to the transmitting at the second bandwidth.
 19. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the image data comprises video contentincluding images captured by the image capturing device.
 20. The methodof claim 14, wherein the metadata is received from a sensor in proximityto the event, and wherein the sensor senses sensory data associated withthe event.